News stories and marketing claims warn of a nationwide loss of electrical power due to terrorist activities.
There is no nationwide power grid. There are three major power grids: the eastern, the western, and Texas.
Our great state of Texas is the ONLY state with its own independent power grid. The El Paso connects to the Western Grid, but ERCOT is 100% independent. There are wealthy business people and politicians who promote this interconnection or our independent grid with the other two grids: Hunt Energy Network CEO Pat Wood, Democrat Robert ‘Beto’ O’Rourke.
Why should Texans object to connecting our ERCOT grid with either of the other two grids? Interconnection would transfer authority over the ERCOT grid from the Texas Legislature to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The FERC regulates “Rates and services for electric transmission in interstate commerce and electric wholesale power sales in interstate commerce – Principally under Parts II and
III of the Federal Power Act”.
Learn about ERCOT from the ERCOT QUICK FACTS page.
One bad example: the California TRUST Act, known as the California Anti-Arizona law by which “California State lawmakers took exception to Arizona’s tough illegal immigration stance in the form of SB1070.“
In 2021, the FERC “decided to allow the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to prioritize energy flow throughout California over Arizona“. The consequence to Arizona energy users? Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), Lea Márquez Peterson stated, “While I sympathize with those in California who experienced rolling blackouts last year [2018], I stand firm with Arizonans first and believe that California’s manipulation of the market is unfair and unjust to Arizonans and other states in the West.”
Interconnection of the Texas ERCOT grid with either the eastern or western interstate grids will jeopardize Texas business, Texas emergency services, and Texas residents. It will also jeopardize our Texas independence.
Our best defense against terroristic attacks on our ERCOT grid is the maintenance of our state’s independence from federal controls. Be mindful of how our Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is taking control of our southern border because Joe Biden refuses to stem the flow of illegal immigrants into our state.
If you agree we do not want federal control of our ERCOT grid, call and write your Texas State Representative, your Texas State Senator, and the office of Gov. Greg Abbott. Tell them you oppose tying our ERCOT grid to interstate grids.
Links to the Texas Capitol officeholders
John White
Rockwall, Texas
John N. White 